The Missile Defense Agency (MDA), in a competitive downselect phase, selected Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) and partner Aerojet Rocketdyne (NYSE: AJRD) to deliver the nation's most advanced missile defense system, the Next Generation Interceptor (NGI).

The $3.7 billion contract for Next Generation Interceptor is the first step in the development and demonstration phase delivering on MDA's requirements to modernize the current Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) system.

The NGI is specifically designed to meet environmental survivability needs and to enable the warfighter to outpace adversary threats for homeland defense. This contract will develop the interceptor all-up-round, which includes both the booster and hit-to-kill payload and will launch from the current GBI silo infrastructure in Ft. Greely, AK and Vandenberg AFB, CA.

"We are excited and proud the MDA entrusted Lockheed Martin to lead the development of this game-changing system that will greatly improve our nation's security for decades to come," said Sarah Reeves, vice president of Next Generation Interceptor Program at Lockheed Martin.

"We have been working toward supporting never-fail missions such as NGI for decades, and our team has the expertise and shared vision required to deliver on the MDA's need to evolve GMD."

The Nation's First Line of Defense
NGI is a missile defense interceptor program designed to protect and defend the U.S. from intercontinental ballistic missiles. This program will serve as a first line of a layered missile defense architecture against evolving threats from rogue nations and is a national priority for the MDA and U.S. Northern Command. The first interceptor will be fielded ahead of the nation's need.

Sustainable and Reliable
Lockheed Martin leveraged its $580-million investment in multi-object kill vehicle technology, hit-to-kill experience on THAAD and decades providing strategic systems to the U.S. Navy Trident program. The NGI system design provides significant enhancement from the onset with the ability to respond to multiple threats with a single interceptor.

This significant advance, coupled with a refreshed approach to design for maintainability and reliability, provide the operational availability the warfighter requires. Cost improvements and affordability enabled by digital engineering are at the core of Lockheed Martin's design.

Related Links
Next Generation Interceptor
Learn about missile defense at SpaceWar.com
Learn about nuclear weapons doctrine and defense at SpaceWar.com
All about missiles at SpaceWar.com
Learn about the Superpowers of the 21st Century at SpaceWar.com

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only

Northrop Grumman Common Infrared Countermeasures System ready for full-rate production
Rolling Meadows IL (SPX) Mar 17, 2021
The U.S. Army has declared the Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) Common Infrared Countermeasure (CIRCM) system operationally suitable, effective and ready for full-rate production following a successful six-month initial operational test and evaluation (IOT&E) activity. "Through our partnership with the U.S. Army and our suppliers, we have already delivered over 100 production systems," said Bob Gough, vice president, navigation, targeting and survivability, Northrop Grumman. "The successfu ... read more

Read more from original source...